Good luck to everyone hunting Minnesota tomorrow or Wisconsin Wednesday and anyone else hunting bear this fall out running baits today looking good so far excited for Wednesday

I predict an outstanding season.

Thanks hopes are high. My son and I have Mn. tags. Running 4 baits and have multiple bears on every bait. Pictures don't show any huge bears but a few decent size ones. Good luck to everyone!!

My baits have gone ice cold over the last 7-10 days. I know it's common when berries and nuts are all over the landscape, but it's making me anxious. Hoping things turn around in the next few days. Looks like some nice cooler weather coming before the weekend.

Bumper crop of blackberries here but they are about done. Acorns are falling. Nothing has hit my apples yet (except deer) Any bears taken will be fat. Good luck everyone.

A good hunt and best of luck to all you guys!

Moosetrot

Two tags but no bears have come to the bait.

First time in bout 40 years I contemplated not buying a bear tag.
But did today. Won't bait, just sit at natural travel routes.

We shoot them like rats here. Last few I have killed with my muzzeloader have been right on the edge of my lawn. I stand by my woodpile in the upper right of this picture.

One thing:... I don't give a rip what any " guide" says..
Most bear are hit and lost while waiting for the last few minutes of legal light.
Get out of your stand and walk out even with a (few minutes) left.

I’m curious on this. Is it just that folks make bad shots in the low light? At least if someone is rifle hunting with a good scope I would say MOST days the end of legal shooting it still looks bright as heck through a scope. If you’re in super duper thick stuff like spruce, cedar, etc it will be quite a bit darker and I see where you’re coming from. Some areas just get a lot more light later so I think it really varies. But I’m still interested to hear your thinking as I know you are a bear guru!!

And good luck to all you hunters this season!

Happy trapping! ScottW

Scott. I'm just saying (overall).
Scoped rifle, , bow, open sights.

WAY to many push the limits. Been " guilty" myself.
Been involved in a couple hundred bear kills and those taken late , end of legal time ......

Most bear hunters hunt in thick cover (baiting).
Early season with thick leaf cover is often 10 minutes time to get out and try another day.
Heavy cloud cover can knock that back even a few more minutes.

Hope that makes sense and hunters will adhere to that advice.

Last year couldn't buy a bear with all the natural food around . This year there on baits all day and night , with multiple bear on each bait . Don't want to jinx us . But looking pretty good for action this year

Interesting observation, I have been hunting bears since 1978, I have helped a guide friend of mine in NW Ontario since 1983. I have not experienced this or ever had to talk about it at bear camp or with-in our family and friends. We have always stressed being out at the end of hours. Not doubting you just not something I have ever experienced and I as well have been in on hundreds of harvest, tracking, recovery, wounds etc. The most common mistake I see is not waiting for a good shot angle or letting the bear settle in.

TLguy get some protein in there, trail-mix with heavy nut concentration. Scent it up. Good Luck.

It's a miserable feeling tracking a bear in total darkness with heavy leaf cover when you can only see three feet in front of you . If a hunter is not up to it they should definitely shut it down early enough that there not in that predicumt

Strange I guess I am. I have tracked hundreds of bears, been nose to nose with them crawling through the bush, swamps, or corn fields, and find it the rush of rushes. I could die but that's the exileration of it. Scarry as heck but oh what a rush to have one swat at you, growl, lung etc. in most cases unless I was alone tracking my own I have never carried a weapon myself either. Never thought of it as miserable. Different perspectives.

Sounds scary for sure

That what I typically hear from bear hunters.

I have never tried it but I do have 10 points.

Good luck to all

Watch Bernie's latest VLOG 5. Lots of bears. Said more than he's ever seen.

In WI if your baits gone cold it is normally a fresh more desirable food source. I have had the most luck changing up my bait mixture. The later you get in the season the darker it can get. Then I have gone to every sit using a different scent. We have shot many bears that come in to a scent out of curiosity, not hunger. One I remember my wife shot was third week. I put out a new scent after two in one out routine. The bear came in sniffed around and was leaving when she shot it. It never went near the bait itself. When dressing it out I hit something hard with my hand. It's stomach was stuffed full of acorns. If they were there prior they know it's there. Give them a reason to return.